Wow at the response! Okay so the majority of you want DragonQueen! But it won't be straight away as they have yet to meet. So, I decided that the officer will be Daniel as I stupidly watched 'The Stable Boy' last night and I got all awww! I also thought they could have known each other when young but not realized. Anyway! On with the story... :)
Chapter 8
After a busy morning, Regina settles the children down to play before answering the door and letting the officers in. Making her way back to the living room couch, the brunette sits down nervously. "I take it that you're here to update me on the situation?"
The officer she has spoken to the most nods with a small smile. "Yes. We have received statements from both parents but unfortunately their stories don't add up. We also did a safety check regarding their home and..lets just say the house was not in a fit state to be lived in by anyone least of all two young children. Their older brother at the moment has also been questioned due to his role of shall we say, bullying, them and has been sent straight to a care home"
Nodding while taking it all in, the young teacher looks towards the children who are playing quietly even though the small blonde keeps glancing over warily. "So what is next?"
"Normally the next stage would be to take the children into an emergency foster home until a space is either available in a care home or if someone wants to adopt them..however if you want my honest opinion, not a lot of people are willing to adopt two children..especially given their ages and so they are quite possibly going to be seperated"
Eyes widening, Regina looks back to the pair, meeting Emma's eyes which are also wide with fear at listening. "That..that can't happen..they need to be together. Henry doesn't like it if Emma leaves the room for 5 minutes..let alone permanently"
Feeling guilty, the officer also glances over to the pair playing. "I understand, I will stress to them that they are kept together but they more than likely won't get adopted then. For now, foster is the best option for them. There is a family not far from the school so Emma can still attend. They have been fostering for a number of years and are the best we can provide"
Sighing, the brunette rubs her head feeling conflicted. "When..when would they need to go?"
"Now"
Standing up from the floor, Emma helps Henry to stand and holds onto his hand tightly so he doesn't fall as they walk slowly over to Regina. The boy grabs at the couch to steady himself as he is only just walking. The small blonde stops by the woman and bites her lip worriedly. "Regina?"
Swallowing hard, the young teacher looks down to the pair then looks at the girl's teary eyes. "I..can't do it..." Taking a breath, the brunette reaches out and lifts Henry up onto her lap then holds her arm out for Emma who hops up to sit next to her. Turning towards the officer, Regina shakes her head. "I can't let you..they stay with me..until there is a permanent solution, they are not being seperated or bounced around homes. They stay with me"
"That can be arranged" the officer nods with a smile as he stands.
"Good. Just keep me updated" smiling back, the young teacher then squeezes the pair currently squashed as close as possible to her.
Making his way back over to the door, the officer pauses and looks back. "I'm sorry if this seems like I'm intruding but is your name Regina?.."
Raising an eyebrow, the brunette is taken back. "..yes..it is.."
"I thought I recognised you last night with your hair up in that knot thing" smiling again, he walks back over.
Biting her lip confused, Regina stands up and takes Emma and Henry back to their play corner before walking over to the officer. "I'm sorry..I don't.."
"We went to the same school..you always had your hair in a knot but braided.." Gesturing to himself, he smiles in disbelief. "Daniel..I was in the class two years up but we was in the same after school writing session.."
Realizing, the young teacher covers her mouth as she sniggers. "Daniel? Oh my..god as in..Judge Dan?"
Getting embarrassed, the guy nods slowly. "Yeah..well I..I wanted to be one..but I guess an officer is as close as I'll get.."
Trying not to laugh but chuckles, Regina clears her throat. "I'm sorry..I just..you told everyone to call you that and if I remember correctly you told me off because I struggled calling you judge"
"Yes well fudge Dan doesn't have the same ring!" Giving a mini glare, Daniel then smiles. "But I can see you managed to become a teacher like you wanted..and I cannot get over the fact that now I know, that, that woman is your mother?!"
"Yeah...its..complicated and now its probably worse because I have them.." Glancing to the children, the young teacher gives a sad smile. "But I am not going to let them suffer the way..." Cutting herself off, the brunette sighs.
Frowning, Daniel looks worried, having an idea where the conversation was going. "I am sure you won't.."
Nodding, Regina smiles again. "Anyway it was nice seeing you again..well twice..technically..yesterday and today.."
"Yeah you too. Hopefully next time I see you it won't be..dreaded news or anything.." Checking the time, Daniel looks apologetic. "I'm sorry, I have to go, I've got one more house call and then a lunch with my sister and if I am remotely late for that, she will kill me"
Surprised, the young teacher crosses her arms. "You have a sister? You never mentioned that in school.."
"Because she's a pain in my side. Trust me, give Henry until he is 5 and he will be saying that about Emma"
"No! Henry loves me!" The blonde appears beside Regina with her hands on her hips.
Regina laughs and runs her hand through the girl's hair, pulling her closer. "Honey he is joking"
Daniel nods. "Yes I am..be good for your tea...your..Regina here" struggling to find the right words, he shrugs as the brunette raises an eyebrow again.
"I am good, Gina, I'm good?" Emma tilts her head to look up.
"Of course you are and you know what good girls do?"
Shrugging, the girl looks curious. The young teacher smiles and gestures towards the corridor. "Good girls help their brother wash up for lunch.."
"Okay!" Grinning, Emma heads back to Henry and leads him to the bathroom.
Watching in awe, Regina turns back to Daniel. "Well you better go before your sister kills you..."
"Definately, although..she's like you..got a good heart. Anyway, I will see you soon.." Giving a wave, Daniel leaves the brunette to it.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Rushing through the diner, Daniel slides into the booth opposite his sister who is looking unimpressed.
"I thought you said that work was not going to get in the way today, two visits you said..tell me what happened?" Raising an eyebrow, the blonde glares towards her brother.
"I know but, I ended up at the first visit a little longer, you know the case I am currently on..well it turns out, this teacher, I went to school with her and well lets just say these kids are lucky to have someone like her taking them in. You remember when I came home from school that day not happy because someone called me fudge Dan?"
Dropping her cold stare, the blonde bites her lip to prevent a smile. "Dear, don't you mean when you came home crying?"
Sighing frustrated, Daniel nods. "Okay, fine I cried.." Seeing his sister smile in triumph, the guy orders a drink. "Anyway..that was her.."
"Oh..the top knot girl?..well I would like to personally meet her to thank her for that name she gave you..I most certainly had a field day letting everybody know"
"Mal...enough okay. Besides at least I didn't get the nickname Dragon because you snapped at everyone in sight"
Smirking, the blonde crosses her arms. "Its not my fault everyone got on my nerves. Including you"
Rolling his eyes, Daniel looks to the waitress to order their food.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Having spent the majority of the day playing, Emma grins to herself as Henry claps. Leaving her brother for a moment, the small blonde walks over to Regina and taps her on the leg. "Regina look!"
The brunette momentarily looks worried then follows the girls gaze towards her brother who is babbling with a grin. Clapping again, Henry squeals then shouts. "..mama!..."
Dropping her mouth open, the young teacher looks speechless then panics. "I..oh..Emma..stay with your brother.." Leaving towards the bedroom, the brunette takes a deep breath and leans against the door feeling a slight doubt in her decision. Taking another shaky breath, the woman looks down then rubs her head. She already this afternoon had a rather awkward conversation with her mother regarding some time off until the situation was sorted and her mother simply replied that it was a stupid idea anyway and that she was not fit to be a mother and any child would suffer with her which is why she will only ever be a teacher as she has no one else by her side. That, and she also threatened her job. Without thinking anymore, Regina grabs her phone and calls Daniel needing some support. Pulling herself together once she receives a message to say he is on his way, the young teacher steps back out to find the children still in the same spot looking confused.
"Regina? Henry talked! Is that not good?" Emma asks with a frown.
Sighing, the brunette runs a hand through her dark curls and looks back. "Yes it is good Emma but..I..I'm not his mother and I never will be..the same goes for you. I'm your teacher, that is all"
Looking sad, the blonde slowly walks back to Henry and hugs him despite the boy being unaware then sniffles. "Come Henry...go bed.."
"Emma you don't-"
"We go bed" the blonde cuts in firmly and leads her brother towards the bedroom.
Trying not to get teary, Regina then heads towards the door as she hears a small knock. Opening it, she gives a sad smile to Daniel then steps out of the way to let him in.
"I hope you don't mind..." Walking through the guy looks across his shoulder towards the blonde with him. "We was out..she won't talk.."
Gulping at realizing another person is there, the brunette looks away to blink away the threatening tears then turns towards the woman. "Hello..sorry that I..interrupted.."
Smiling to reassure her, Mal takes in the woman who is stood by the door. "Don't worry about it dear..your situation right now is much more important. Especially with children involved.."
Nodding, Regina shuts the door. "I just needed to discuss what would happen if the children left to go into foster care?, how long until they are then put in a home if they are not adopted?..will the foster carers take them both on?"
Frowning, Daniel looks confused. "Regina, I thought you.."
Walking through to the living room, the brunette sits on the couch and nods before speaking quietly. "I know but..I..I've never done this..I only teach and not..I'm not a mother..and..I have no other means of support here..I didn't think it through last time"
"No, I am thinking that you're panicking and over thinking it this time.." the guy confesses, noticing how agitated the woman has become.
"You don't get it. I have no one. I am on my own in this with two small children. One who is just learning to talk and a few moments ago called me his mom! I have no support, the only person that is there thinks I am not good to do this and she is right"
Seeing right through it, Daniel scoffs. "Your mother is not right. She is merely threatened because you can be a proper mother and nothing like how she was or is"
Looking kind of angry, the young teacher glares. "What do you know about my mother?"
"Well..I know there were rumours at school all them years ago and I see how you're acting now whenever she is mentioned or is near. You're scared of her and I am starting to believe the rumours are actual facts and that she did mistreat you and possibly lock you up and that has somehow made you think that you're not good enough and that no child deserves to have you in their life permanently"
"Daniel!" Mal looks shocked towards her brothers outburst then shakes her head before joining the teary brunette on the couch. "Despite my rude brothers comments, I have a feeling that he is also telling the truth but dear do not ever let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do. Those children wanted to stay with you for a reason. If you were not fit, my brother or any other member of the police would not have let you take temperary custody"
Looking down, Regina sniffles. "You're-"
"Regina?." Walking out warily towards the trio, Emma quickly goes up to the couch and takes hold of the brunette's hand with a pout. "Sorry for being mean. I don't want to go bed without a hug and story. I want to stay here and I promise to tell Henry not to talk like that again.."
Seeing the girl's sad green eyes stare at her, the brunette leans forward and hugs her, lifting her onto her lap, prompting Emma to cling on and rest her head against Regina's shoulder. Kissing her head, the young teacher strokes her hair. "I will be in shortly okay?"
Nodding, the blonde pulls back then kisses her cheek before climbing down and goes back to the bedroom. Having watched in awe, Mal gestures towards the small girl walking off. "Can you really give up on that?"
"..no.." Taking a deep breath, the brunette looks towards the pair apologetic. "I'm sorry, you can go back to whatever is was you were doing..I need to do bedtime.."
Smiling, the blonde stands and pats her back gently. "Don't hesitate to call my brother anytime okay?"
"She's right.." Daniel agrees then heads over towards the door.
Maleficent smirks then looks towards Regina. "Just ask for officer fudge.."
Biting her lip, the brunette smiles and waves as the pair leave.
A/N: I wasn't really happy with this chapter...sorry! Hope was okay!